TW Children of Earth Day 4: more considered thoughts

[shapinglight]

Really shouldn't be doing this, but it's going round and round in my head.

Spoilers within, obviously.



I know many people are very upset by last night's episode, and therefore not really going to talk about Ianto's death much. Did want to say, though, that I thought the scene in which the politicians discussed which of the UK's children were expendable was one of the most chilling things I've ever seen on television - partly because it was so very believable. They would do that. You know they would.

Extremely well done, and creepy as hell.

There have been many such brilliant scenes in this series, (most of them featuring Peter Capaldi, an actor I've always admired) and last night the contrast between the scenes involving the politicians and those involving the TW crew struck me very forcibly. Right from the start of season 1, TW's claim to be the go-to people for your alien infestation problems always struck me as not very believable. Despite their hi-tech equipment, they always seemed such amateurs. That was just as true last night, but this time I felt that RTD had actually made a plot point out of it. I'm referring to the scene where Jack and Ianto confront the vomiting aliens 456 and make their speech about how humans are so great and how they're not going to let the 456 take the children (it's a wonderful scene, and you could see the watching politicians silently rooting for them in spite of everything), only for the 456 to sweep them aside as if they don't matter in the slightest (killing Ianto and a load of other people in the process). Suddenly, Jack and co, brave or not, really did look like powerless amateurs armed with wooden sticks, and this time there's no Doctor to sweep in at the last minute and save them.

I thought it was very powerful. However, since RTD himself is writing the last episode, I'm still expecting some last minute deus ex machina ending, a la every DW finale, or for the ordinary people on Ianto's sister's estate to give the 456 an unlikely drubbing and see them off. RTD has many strengths as a writer but plausible finales isn't one of them.

I won't be able to watch tonight's episode at 9pm. Will have to decide whether or not to stay up and watch the repeat on BBC3 or just record it and watch it tomorrow. I'm leaning towards BBC3 at the moment, but we'll see. M and the Enormous Boyfriend may comandeer the telly and make that impossible. They and S made last night's episode quite difficult for me to watch. M was clattering around the sitting room in noisy high heels while S was asking me why I was 'watching that again,' (don't think he's cottoned on it's one continuous story) and consequently I totally missed the moment when Jack told Ianto he had a daughter and grandson. :(

Captain John, incidentally, is still less than happy. Bubbles is quite worried about him.

Comments

[sueworld2003.livejournal.com]

I gotta say that I really enjoyed the episode. Folks on The big Who forum are calling for Peter Capaldi to be nom'd for a Bafta, and I agree. It was his acting that really sold the aliens as being a real menace.

I don't know how much longer the 'riots' on lj and the like are going to last though. :0

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

His acting was what made the Season for me. Brilliant!

[shapinglight]

Most of the acting has been first class, but Peter Capaldi really has been the standout performance.

[shapinglight]

Folks on The big Who forum are calling for Peter Capaldi to be nom'd for a Bafta, and I agree. It was his acting that really sold the aliens as being a real menace.

I agree. He's been absolutely superb. As far as riots go, I'm keeping my head well down.

[booster17.livejournal.com]

The fact that RTD is writing the last episode is the only thing that's still worrying me. I'm half expecting the giant reset button to get used, but the whole tone of the 4 parts so far is so drak and grim that it would feel wrong if it did. No matter how much we might want it to.

And 100% agreement on the quality of the acting, Peter Capaldi in particular and *THAT* scene in the Cobra room. I smell BAFTA's approaching.

[shapinglight]

I'm half expecting the giant reset button to get used, but the whole tone of the 4 parts so far is so drak and grim that it would feel wrong if it did. No matter how much we might want it to.

I agree. It would be like the channels suddenly switched on you and you were watching a totally different show.

I'm not expecting a reset myself, but for the finale to be lame in some other way wouldn't surprise me. RTD has a track record for it.

I smell BAFTA's approaching.

There should be, but I doubt it. This is sci fi, remember?

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

Peter Capaldi has been a gem! Totally!

[shapinglight]

He really has.

[kathyh]

I thought the scene in which the politicians discussed which of the UK's children were expendable was one of the most chilling things I've ever seen on television

Me too. I couldn't look away. The terrible reasonableness of it all was so horrifying. The actors were superlative and Peter Capaldi deserves every award going.

for the ordinary people on Ianto's sister's estate to give the 456 an unlikely drubbing

That's what I'm expecting. It could be pulled off but it will need RTD to tone his usual finales down by a large amount if it's to work.

[vampirefever.livejournal.com]

I suppose I'm one of the few who didn't bat an eyelid when Ianto was killed. It did make me think RTD is still under the illusion he's Joss (he even tries to look and dress like him - have you noticed?) and that killing off a big character is somehow dangerous. As far as I'm concerned that's oh so very last year *g*

I'm hoping there's still hope for a resurrection. Do you think they could find that glove? I too reckon the ending will venture into 'cheesyland', but hope otherwise.

Having said all the above, I am still enjoying the episodes very much - which on its own is a gratifying feeling considering how I felt during S1 & 2.

ETA: I'm all for the 456 taking 10% of all kids; would make my bus trip to work much more pleasant :p

[shapinglight]

I suppose I'm one of the few who didn't bat an eyelid when Ianto was killed

Probably, but you can count me as another. It doesn't bother me. Seems we were both wrong about the ending too.

[piksa.livejournal.com]

I thought the scene in which the politicians discussed which of the UK's children were expendable was one of the most chilling things I've ever seen on television

Couldn't agree with you more. Totally gave me the creeps. *shudder*

My emotions about the episode are going from side to side. Can't concentrate on working while all these scenarios are going through my head.

Can't wait for the finale!

[calturner.livejournal.com]

Peter Capaldi has been wonderful. I can't get over just how high the standard of acting and storylines are this year. Yes, there are weaknesses, but I've found the story not only gripping, but deeply disturbing at times. The selection process was horrifying, but oh so believable, which of course made it even more chilling to watch. Like you, I hope RTD can deliver a strong and believable finale.

[kitty-poker1.livejournal.com]

I'm watching with interest as fans go through the five stages of grief and some are reaching acceptance fairly quickly. There's no choice because nothing is going to change, no matter how they cling on to anger.

You may well be right about the 'ordinary folk' like Ianto's family rising to defeat the 456 where neither Torchwood nor the Government had a clue. From that pov, Ianto's death could be seen as a rather clever, if cliched, plot device rather like Tara's death in BtVS sparking the creation of Dark!Willow.

And, yes, Peter Capaldi has been outstanding throughout a series studded with good writing and first class performances.

[booster17.livejournal.com]

It's the tone of the show so far that I think has got them to accept it more. It feels like it's been building throughout, getting darker and more dangerous as they go. An abrupt 180 degree spin to happiness with a magical resurrection would not be acceptable to any viewers, casual or devoted Jack/Ianto fans alike.

[kitty-poker1.livejournal.com]

An abrupt 180 degree spin to happiness with a magical resurrection would not be acceptable to any viewers, casual or devoted Jack/Ianto fans alike.

As a Janto shipper, I wouldn't object if Ianto was somehow brought back. I just can't see any way to do it that wouldn't hopelessly compromise the integrity of the show. Perhaps at some stage in the future during Doctor Who or a new TW miniseries, but it'd muck up CoE.

[shapinglight]

Hi, Kitty. I'm trying to catch up with comments I didn't answer, and since you haven't left one on my post about Day 5, will just wave and say I agree.

[gillo]

Did want to say, though, that I thought the scene in which the politicians discussed which of the UK's children were expendable was one of the most chilling things I've ever seen on television - partly because it was so very believable. They would do that. You know they would.

I know we know they would. Mind you, not just in this country. What sort of pass have we come to?

Capaldi is quite superb - though he's been extremely good in everything I've seen him in. I suspect the political edge is what lured him in for the role.

I'm still expecting some last minute deus ex machina ending, a la every DW finale, or for the ordinary people on Ianto's sister's estate to give the 456 an unlikely drubbing and see them off. RTD has many strengths as a writer but plausible finales isn't one of them.

Part of me hopes for a reset - the Glove turning up, or a Week That Never Was. It would be cheesy - but, oh, Ianto! ::wails:: OTOH it would be a massive cop-out. One I feel sure RTD is quite capable of, but after this week, it would be such a cheat.

M was clattering around the sitting room in noisy high heels while S was asking me why I was 'watching that again,'

My sympathies. R and Dave are as hooked as I am, and R was sobbing steadily through the last ten minutes. (She does that - her friend once told her she'd cry at an Andrex puppy, which has become a stock term in her gang of friends. But this time there was reason.)

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

I'm probably in the minority but I've never really like Ianto anyway - I always thought the writers didn't quite know what to do with his character and he always seemed quite 2 dimensional. However, Gareth thingy did well with last night's episode and the disbelief when he realised how little he knew Jack was well done.

Having said that I wonder who'll be left by the end of Friday's episode!

[shapinglight]

I'm probably in the minority but I've never really like Ianto anyway

You very much are, Kazzy, but I'm pretty indifferent to him myself too. I also think the death scene was very well done.

[jans-intentions.livejournal.com]

I'd never watched it. I can't stand Dr. Who since it makes no sense (I watched the old series now and then but was always confused by it). For some reason I watched this series, having never watched it before. I was quite gripped by it though the only relationship that was very interesting was J/I so since that's gone, I probably won't again. Just treat this like an interesting miniseries. I am looking forward to seeing how this is resolved.

[shapinglight]

Hi, Jan. Just trying to catch up on all the comments I didn't get the chance to answer. Hope you enjoyed the final episode.

[rahirah]

I was just kind of appalled at the complete lack alien-wrangling skills displayed by all sides. What they needed was a good team of hostage negotiation people, not Cowboy Jack.

The acting was excellent, though.

[shapinglight]

The acting was excellent, though.

It was, wasn't it?

[lonelybrit]

I think all the actors have definitely raised their game for this series, but even so Capaldi is just something else, I hope he gets some very big shiny award in due course, he utterly deserves it.

And yes, the politicians debating over the children was horribly believable, especially the way they kept on thinking up of different ways to 'spin it' to the voters to try and save face.

Though I also agree, RTD does have a tendency to write great build-ups and then just go ridiculously bonkers for the actual finale where frankly anything goes. Still, I'm looking forward to tonight!

[shapinglight]

I think all the actors have definitely raised their game for this series, but even so Capaldi is just something else, I hope he gets some very big shiny award in due course, he utterly deserves it.

I agree. I hope someone from this production wins something, because they deserve to.

[liliaeth]

I just keep thinking back to that Doctor Who ep in the libary and the ending of it,where the Doctor tells them to look him up in the library, and doing is scares the shadow thingies enough to let them get themselves and all the people trapped in the transporter to safety.

Here Jack and Ianto try basically the same thing, only this time, the aliens don't fall for the bluff.

[shapinglight]

I'm trying to catch up with all the comments I didn't answer. Sorry for long delay.

Here Jack and Ianto try basically the same thing, only this time, the aliens don't fall for the bluff.

Yes, that's pretty much how it comes across.